MUNCIE, Ind. — Many businesses and organizations in Muncie are committed to providing the community with the necessities needed to survive. Mike Martin, owner of Common Market, has impacted his community through his service in Muncie.
Martin is also an instructor for Ball State’s Impact X class, teaching community members business tips at no charge.
“Bring your ideas to the class, and we try to help you turn it into a pitch deck or a mini business plan; that way, you can try to approach investors, government, or funders and say, ‘Here’s an idea I have that may help my community,” he said.
Impact X inspired Martin to enter the Entrepreneur of Impact contest, an online competition for business owners who exemplify leadership and impact on their community. Martin is currently first in his group and one of two Muncie residents in the competition.
For almost a decade, the Common Market has given donations to food banks, community members and a free space for organizations and groups to meet without worrying about funds.
“It's really an old-fashioned corner store, and all the community stuff we do like the free clothing for people, that's because neighbors just started saying, ‘Hey I have all these donations. Would you guys take them,’” he said. “People drop stuff off all the time,” he added.
Through this contest, Martin has a chance to win a one-on-one mentor session with Shark Tank judge Daymond John, an appearance in Forbes magazine, and $25,000.
Martin says that if he won the competition with the help of the community, there would be new housing options and job opportunities near the Common Market.
“There's a 15,000-square-foot factory that we want to turn into an innovation center to bring in good jobs for the neighborhood. And so a real basic goal there is to put $25 an hour jobs that people can walk to in the neighborhood,” he said.
The first cut for the top 20 entrepreneurs in Martins Group is Jan. 30. To cast votes for the competition, visit entrepreneur impact.org.
Contact Kahmara Munn with comments at kahmara.munn@bsu.edu.
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